Learning Communities help integrate all aspects of the curriculum over the first two years of UCMedEd and provide an opportunity for relationship building and social learning between clinicians and students in a small group environment. The cornerstone of the Learning Community activities is a clinician-led case discussion whereby students are given patient cases that provide clinical background and relevance for the basic sciences students are learning in the organ system courses. Students learn how to generate a differential diagnosis, choose appropriate diagnostic testing, and discuss treatment options. As some aspects of the cases cover new issues for the students, the cases require students to become self-directed learners by identifying the gaps in their understanding or knowledge base and creating a strategy to fill in these gaps. Learning Communities also cover topics that pertain to the overall care of the patient, with a focus on identifying potential hurdles to overcome when treating patients, such as access to health care, health literacy, and cultural differences and barriers.